Sectional box car



Filed June 15, 1927 2 heets-Sheet l Java/2601".

KMTRW Feb. 24, 1931. R. T. ROMINE SECTIONAL BOX CAR Filed June 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE snc'rronar. BOX A3.

Application filed June 15,

This invention relates to sectional box cars or carriers and especially to fiat railway cars provided with a load supporting floor or platform adapted to receive and support a plurality of independent shipping containers or sections which, when assembled, present the appearance of a com lete box car. The invention is particularly a apted for use in connection with a railway transportation system for the handling and shipping of large quantities of material, such for example, as freight, merchandise, parcel post, express material, etc. in separate and individual groups or units. The apparatus of the invention is well adapted for use in various manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry wherein it is desirable to ship automobile parts to assembly plants or elsewhere, and wherein such parts may be handled and shipped in the container sections directly from the shipper to the consignee.

/ An important object of the invention is to provide the car and the container sections with cooperating means which serve to lock the container sections in position upon the car floor and thereby restrict their relative movement or displacement when the car is in transit, said means likewise serving to guide the container sections into predetermined positions upon the car floor when the containers are being loaded onto the car.

One form of shipping container or merchandise compartment, and certain improved means for maintaining it in position upon the car, are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts in the several views,

In said drawings:

Fig. lvis a top plan view of a freight car or carrier with my improved container sections in position thereupon, several of the 5 sections being broken away.

1927. Serial No. 199,099.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of my improved sectional freight car showing. means for maintaining the containers in position upon the fiat car platform.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cooperating container section secur- 1n% or locking means of my invention.

efore explaining in detail the present invention, and the method or mode of operation embodied therein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and arrangement ofparts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art. V

My improved apparatus is illustrated by way of example in connection with a railway transportation system at a railway terminal, although such apparatus may be used at in dustrial plants or storage warehouses where large quantities of material are handled. For instance, the invention is adapted for use not only at railway freight terminals for the handling and shipping of freight, merchandise, parcel post, express material, etc., or at shipping docks for steamboat transportation, but also in various manufacturing industries such as the automotive industry. Automo-- bile parts, including parts to be shipped to assembly plants in different sections of the country, or spare and replacement parts to be shipped to dealers,.garages, etc., may be handled and shipped in the'containers direct- 00 1y from the shipper to the consignee in accord ance with the present invention.

In the present case I have illustrated a relatively simple and effective manner of locking 5 the containers on the floor or platform of the flat car or carrier so that the containers will be maintained in position thereupon against displacement during transit. The containers and the locking means carried by the car floor for maintaining the containers in position container sections to car is positioned. upon railway tracks RR and contams a series or group of separate and individual shipping containers or sections each shown as a whole at C. Each container is a complete unit and is provided with a pair of doors at one end, although both ends may be provided with such doors if desired, and with a pair of walkways positioned above the roof of the container or section. Together, the group of container sections, when mounted upon the platform 13, present the appearance of a complete and fully equipped box car.

Each of the container sections C is provided with a bottom or floor comprising a series of cross boards 19 which are supported by means of angles 20, the boards resting upon and being preferably secured to the horizontal flanges of the angles by means of bolts or the like 19a, a roof or top21, sidewalls 22, 22, and end walls 23, one of which end walls, preferably the front end wall, is provided with swinging doors 24 and 25. The skeleton frame structure of each container section comprises, preferably, vertically extending angle bars 26 and 27 at the front and rear respectively of each side wall, these vertical members being connected at their lower ends with the container section floor angles 20 by means of gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively, having ears or projections 126a and 127a provided with slots or apertures, and sup porting at their upper ends curved or substantially arch-shaped roof framing'angles 28 which form supporting means for the top or roof 21 of the container section. The angles 26, 27 and 28 are connected together by means of gusset plates 128. Extending substantially horizontally along the side walls 22 are a plurality of spaced angles 29, these angles being connected at their ends with the vertical angles 26, 27 by means of gusset plates 129, one of which is provided for each horizontal angle at its opposite ends. The side walls 22 and the end walls 23 are preferably in the form of sheet metal entirely enclosing the framework as shown in Fig. 4, with the locking extensions 126a and 127a projecting through the enclosing walls at the lower co1- ners of the container, as shown in Fig. 5.

To brace the horizontal angles 29 and the roof supporting angle 28, and likewise to maintain them in spaced relation and prevent sagging of the angles and roof, a vertically extending, preferably centrally positioned reinforcing strap or bar 30 is provided for each side wall 22, the lower ends of the bars 30 being connected with the floor angles 20 and the upper ends with the angle 28, the intermediate portion of the members 30 being connected with each of the horizontal angles 29. It will be noted that the upper ends of the members 30 project slightly above the roof structure 21 at the side thereof.

To additionally brace the container section, I provide a pair of metal straps or bars 31, 32 which are secured at their lower ends to the gusset plates 126 and 127 respectively, and to each of the horizontal angles 29 and likewise to the roof supporting angle 28. It will be noted that the bars 31 and 32 extend upward in converging relation and also that the upper ends of the bars project considerably above the roof 21 at substantially its transverse center. Connected with the upper projecting ends of the members 31 and 32 by means of rivets or the like are a pair of angle plates 33 and 34 having inwardly extending flanges 33a and 34a respectively, positioned back to back. Connected with the opposite outer faces of these flanges are a pair of abutting channel bars 35, the web portions of which are positioned back to back to form a bail 36 for the container section. It will be understood that the several angles, gusset plates and bracing members herein referred to areconnected together to form an integral structure, preferably by means of rivets although it may be found desirable to employ bolts or other securing means for this purpose. Likewise it may prox e desirable in practice to spot weld the several members together. '1

Mounted upon the roof 21 of the section and rigidlly connected therewith, is a transversely extending and preferably substantially centrally located walkway 40, this walkway comprising a pair of spaced angles 41 connected at opposite ends with plates or gussets 42, which plates or gussets are in turn connected with and supported by the roof supporting angle 28 (Fig. 4). The angles 41 are likewise connected with the brace members 30, 31 and 32 to prevent any possibility of sagging at the central portion thereof. Mounted upon the angles 41 in any suitable manner and likewise extending transversely of the section, are a plurality of boards 43 which together form the walkway. By providing a series of boards and positioning them at opposite sides of the bail 36, it will be noted that two separate and distinct stood that the bail also serves as a hand hold or supporting structure for the brakeman when walking along the top of the group of car sections or container C.

The bail 36 provides a transverse lifting bar to which is connected a crane hook for hoisting the container onto or off the car. It will be noted that the lifting strain on the bail is transmitted to the angles 20 beneath the floor boards 19 by means of the diverging metal tie bars 31, 32 and the gusset plates 126, 127. The latter also provide means for supporting portions of the means for locking the container to the car floor,-in the present instance such means being in the form of extensions 126a and 1270. A container of this type is disclosed in my Patent No. 1,688,457, granted October 23,

In order to provide means for effecting a detachable connection between adjacent sections at their upper portions and likewise to prevent any possibility of relative displacement of the sections when the car is in transit, each of the gusset plates 128 is provided with an ear or extension 128a having a slot or aperture therein. To lock together the ears or projections 128a of adjacent container sections, I employ, preferably, bolts and nuts 45 (Figs. 3 and 4).

The doors 24 and 25 are pivotally connected withthe front Wall 23 of the container section by means of hinges 37 of any suitable construction. The door 25 is provided with a plate 25a at its free edge which is adapted to overlap the free edge of the door 24 when the pairof doors are closed as shown in the drawings.- The door 25 is also provided with are closed, is adapted to engage and be supported by a stop 24a. At the upper and lower edges of the door 25, guide members 256 are provided which serve to support, and maintain against accidental displacement, the rods 255. These guides likewise serve to cause the ends of the rods 25?), when in their projected or locking position, to register with an aperture formed in the angle plates or keepers 20a positioned uponthe front wall of the container section above and below the door 25. This construction permits the doors to be simultaneously locked together to prevent any accidental or unauthorized opening of the doors, it being understood, of course, that the usual seal is applied to the operating handle or lever 25d to maintain it against movement relative to the stop 24a. The dual locking means permits the authorized opening of both doors by a simple and convenient operation.

In Fig. 5 I have shown in detail the container section guiding and locking means mounted upon the car platform or floor B I provide preferably alon each longitudinal side of the car platform an angle bar D having a horizontal flange D mounted upon the floor and secured thereto by means of bolts or the like E, and a vertical or upstanding flange D The angle bars D are provided for the purpose of preventing the accidental lateral movement or displacement of the container sections 0 when the car is in transit. Each angle bar is provided at predetermined spaced intervals with container section guiding and securing or locking means in the form of units F including a pair of vertically disposed plates or gussets 50 each of which is positioned back to back with one face of the vertical or upstanding flange D preferably the inner face of the flange, and secured thereto by means of rivets or the like 51 to form an integral part of the angle bar. Each plate or gusset supports a relatively short angle bar 52 having a flange 520 which is positioned back to back with the outer face of the plate or gusset and secured thereto b means of rivets or the like 53. The angle ar 52 is also provided with an outwardly projecting portion or flange 52?) having a slot or aperture 520 therein. The upper end of the angle 52 is curved as shown at 152 to provide a cam surface or guide means for the ear or projection 126a or 127 a of the container section when the section is being lowered into positionupon the car floor or platform 13*. The flanges 52b of the short angles 52 are opposed or in juxtaposition and spaced apart sufficiently to permit the entry therebetween of the ears 126a and 127a when a container section is being lowered into position upon the car floor. It will be understood that the location of the units F along the angle bars D is'determined by the size of the container sections. It will also be understood that a single unit F is mounted upon 'the longitudinal angle bar D at each end thereof. If desirable the plates 50 and angles 52 may be formed in one piece or these members may be secured together to form the units by means of spot welding in lieu of the rivets 53. After the container sections have been lowered into position upon the car floor or platform as shown in the drawings, with the parts in their cooperative relations as shown in detail in Fig. 5, a bolt 46 is inserted through the several aligned apertures or slots provided in the relatively short angles 52 and the ears or projections 126a or 127a, as the case may be, and a nut applied thereto to lock the parts in position against relative movement or displacement when the car is in transit.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the container section guiding and locking devices F are preferably positioned in pairs along the longitudinal angles D where adjacent container sections are to be locked together upon the car floor, whereas it is only necessary to provide a single unit at opposite ends of the angles D.

It will also be understood that by providing the relatively short angles 52 of the units F with curved upper ends, they serve to guide or direct a container section into its proper position upon the car platform B when it is being lowered into position to be supported thereby. It will be seen that the units 1F thus provide relatively simple means for guiding the container sections into position upon the car platform and likewise serve as means which cooperate with the ears or projections 011 the container sections for locking the parts together to maintain the sections in position upon the car platform against relative movement or displacement during transit.

What I claim is:

1; In a sectional box car or carrier, a plurality of removable containers each comprising a frame work including upright corner posts, floor framing angle members and roof framing angle members, gusset plates connecting said angle members and posts at the lower and upper corners of the container, and means securable to certain of said gusset plates for connecting together adjacent containers.

2. In a sectional box car or carrier, a plurality of removable containers each comprising a frame work including upright coriier posts, floor framing angle members and roof framing angle members, gusset plates connecting said angle members and posts at the lower and upper corners of the container,

certain of said gusset plates having extensions, and means secured to the car floor and cooperating with said extensions for releasably locking the container in position upon the car floor.

3. In a sectional box car or carrier, a plurality of removable containers each comprising a frame work including upright corner posts, floor framing angle members and roof framing angle members, gusset plates connecting said angle members and posts at the lower and upper corners of the container, means securable to certain of said gusset plates for connecting together adjacent containers, and means secured to the car floor and cooperating'with said first named means for locking the containers to the car floor.

4. In a sectional box car or carrier having a load supporting floor, longitudinal angle bars positioned along opposite sides thereof, a removable container provided with ears or projections at' opposite lower corners thereof, and a pair of upright angles supported by said longitudinal angle bars adapted to engage said ears and guide the container into a predetermined position upon the car floor when said container is being lowered into position thereupon, said upright angles and said ears also providing means for locking the container in position.

5. In asectional box car or carrier having a floor or platform, the combination of a plurality of removable and interchangeable containers, means for maintaining the contain ers on the car floor against accidental displacement during transit, comprising a pair of parallel angle bars extending longitudinally of said car platform, pairs of upright angles positioned at spaced intervals along said parallel angle bars and connected therewith, and means carried by the containers and adapted to cooperate with said pairs of upright angles for guiding the containers into predetermined positions on the car platform and for locking the containers in place thereupon.

6. In a sectional'box car or carrier having a floor or platform, the combination of a plurality of removable and interchangeable containers, means for maintaining the containers on the car platform against accidental displacement during transit, comprising a pair of parallel angle bars extending longitudinally of said car platform, pairs of up:

right, angles having diverging upper end portions positioned at predetermined points along each of the parallel angle bars and connected therewith, and endwise extensions on said containers adapted to engage said diverging end portions for guiding the sections into their proper relative positions upon the car platform and for locking the parts in fixed relation.

7. The combination with a freight car or carrier, of a plurality of removable containers adapted to be positioned on the car to form a sectional box car, two pairs of locking devices, one pair secured to the car and the other pair carried by a pair of adjacent containers, said devices cooperating to position said pair of containers in abutting relation and to maintain them against relative movement longitudinally of the car.

8. The combination with a freight car or carrier, of a plurality of removable containers adapted to be positioned on the car to form' a sectional box car, cooperating devices carried by the car and a pair of adjacent containers for maintaining the latter in relative.

ly fixed position against movement longitudia pair of projecting anchor members secured to the car and longitudinally spaced to abut against said projections, and a common means for securing said projections and members together.

10, The combination with a car or carrier, of a pair of adjacent containers mounted on the car floor, laterally projecting lugs carried at adjacent lower corners of the containers, a pair of longitudinally spaced abutments carried by the car and engaging said lugs for preventing relative movement of the container, and a single means for securing said abutments and lugs together.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT T. ROMINE. 

